The FEL have managed to get their asses kicked by the DEN yet again after provoking the definitely “not cute or cuddly” Dewiek in the Crossley system. The furry punching bags had bought a civilian flagged outpost in the system, without permission or under certain conditions depending on who you ask, and then had the gall to reinforce this error by positioning warships in orbit. The famously patient warlord Halvor did not buy the story these heavy hull armed ships were merely transports and sent a pack to clear the orbit. The mouthy yet green Felini fleet commander Pr'prz fancied his chances against what looked like a light complement of DEN warships and ordered his own warships to engage in the neighbouring Winter system. The result was predictably a wipe out of the FEL forces consisting of forty-seven capital warships at no loss to the DEN. Once again, a series of calamitous decision making resulted in Felini lives being wasted by a leadership barely fit to clean a litter tray. The otherwise untested Halvor can now claim some victory ale although with his penchant for picking on creatures as weak as Gracians, it’s not exactly clear how much glory this new breed of Dewiek warrior can claim against the legends of old.

Following the WoMD attacks on Spritzer in the Yank system by the DEN, the KAS have put up a gate platform over the planet and planetary shields to protect ground assets from further attack. Asked for comment, Aadolf the Highlord denied using WoMDs. Instead, he claimed cloaked missiles were launched from WoMD launchers. However, this contradicts reports by civilians on the planet. Aadolf had no regrets about the incident, sarcastically replying to our question about the loss Kastorian lives by stating, “Am I heart broken that the MERC scum died no [sic]”

Starbase owners on Herrixal in the Orion Spur system of Monument are boasting of massive profits through civilian exports. With unlikely bedfellows the DEN and GTT both on the planet as well as the DOM, it seems there may be a rush of shipments of far travelling trade goods to this remote civilization.

The DNA are said to be "tentatively thinking about maybe holding" long delayed elections but with no other named candidates other than Yahn Wodenzoon on the ballot, this is democracy worthy of a banana republic. Coincidentally, old colleagues in the DTR tell the SSS that Yahn used to enjoy wearing banana hammocks at Senatoriol committee meetings. Its unclear whether this was all he wore. Schwiiiiiing.

The DOM have successfully made the civilians on Keop in the Harlong system an offer they couldn’t refused. The massive planetary population has now given full backing to the DOM’s take over of the system. Now both ex-Harcorp capital systems are in DOM hands giving them a dominant position in the Coreward Arm periphery. How long before Monument and the rest of Orion Spur follow suit?

Igor Konstantin, Overlord of the DOM, has given notice of the capture of a PIR outpost and several ships which he has claimed as his own property rather than returning to their original owners. Whilst its unlikely anybody would dare to complain or ask penetrating questions about exactly where or how this PIR outpost was “captured”, it’s another damning indication that galactic norms have degenerated to “big house rulez” where might makes right and theft is the rule.

News reports from civilian sources give accounts of incidents involving inter-species hate crimes in the Solo system. What is unusual is that the incidents all involve flagritz sporting a particular gang insignia. Bizarrely, the DTR’s favourite sour old lemon Lady Sylvansigh was quick to blame the SSS for these reports. Meanwhile, a range of likely suspects such as kink lover Yahn Wodenzoon, mad stoner TOAD and simply mad Dr Kala denied having an appendage in it. A likely story indeed!

*** Released Court Documents ***

Stardate 219.16.1 Tribunal, Mr Edward Low vs FET

My thanks to mr Edward Low and Kumicho Cu Chulainn of the FET cartel for their help uncovering the facts around this incident.

In week 6 of this year a battle was fought in Coptuv system between mr Low's forces and the FET. The battle was initiated by the FET's platform and ships in γ13 as mr Low's ships were travelling through, and involved that platform as well as a substantial number of ships on each side. Both sides sustained losses, with the FET seeing the worst of it.

Mr Edward Low has launched a complaint against the FET claiming that they have no right to attack him in Coptuv.

The FET have admitted to launching the attack, blaming confusion for operating ships with erroneous rules of engagement in Coptuv. No explanation was offered to explain their platform being similarly confused.

This is my ruling on the matter.

1. It is the responsibility of guests in my system to maintain appropriate rules of engagement while there. The FET is no exception to this.

2. There rests a particular responsibility on parties that keep permanent naval assets in the system to manage them properly. The FET have failed to do so.

3. The FET platform in γ13 was placed there a long time ago and mr Low knew or should have known of its existence. As a guest in my system I expect mr Low to go to some length to actively avoid provoking combat in Coptuv and in this he has failed.

I find both parties at fault. The FET for not keeping their rules of engagement straight; and mr Low for blundering into a well known FET platform location with a large war fleet.

I hold the FET to have already suffered sufficiently with their loss of ships in the encounter and am not inclined to impose further penalty on them. If they wish to be able to continue operating naval assets in my system however they shall need to demonstrate rather more competence in their management in the future.

Mr Edward Low is cautioned to be more careful in his future travels in Coptuv. I will not have large non-allied fleets roaming the system probing people's enemy lists, whether this behaviour is intentional or not.

I am Igor and this is my will.

Athist City, 219.16.1

*** Featured Blogs ***

Yahn Wodenzoon's Blog - Tr'Shannah's musings

Tonight, she just wanted to go out and forget about it all, so she had decided to go out for a drink.Forget it all, she just couldn't do though. Not here at Lothario's.

The NeoFelini clan of the DNA is small, and most small groups will be somewhat overshadowed by larger groups.

Still, the NeoFilini had something the others did not. They were some of the original Space Brat culture that has now morphed into neo-naplianism.

Felini subculture thrives neo-naplian style. Near the Atrium, a swank funky little lounge portrays the more refined and sensually pleasurable aspects of felini culture.She had thoroughly enjoyed it the couple of times she had tasted of it. Still, each time someone recognised her and broke the ambiance. No, she was condemned to the other side.

The shops along the Promenade were mostly closed by this time, although the baker would show up soon.

At the other end of the Promenade, where most of the light were burned out and the windows boarded up, next to the abandoned mill, there was her place.

This was only the hottest Hardcore Punk bar in all of Lothario's.

Snow Tigers of Glasir

Who had not heard the story of CatsPaw and the Donkey? Tr'Shannah was captain of CatsPaw, of course, and Yahn Wodenzoon had ridden the Donkey.

When Yahn and Senator Zampolit Igor had to flee for their lives from the DTR and seek refuge with a DEN Wolf Lord?

Didn't you pay attention in history or don't they teach anything before the renaissance of the DNA anymore?

Anyway, that incident was responsible for the Hardcore sub culture that exists in the relatively small neo-felini clan in the DNA.

It would forever change the lives of the crews of CatsPaw and Donkey. The rough life was their lot now, if they liked it or not.

Some cultures might consider them the equivalent of say, bikers or something.

She looked around the place and knew instantly who had actually been to Glasir and who were the mere posers.

The realities on Glasir were harsh. Glasir naplians are crazy f*cks.

They are well adapted at dealing with dewiek. Violence is a ritualised institution.

She remembered how one of them had gotten up in her face.

"Yo DNA stand down!" he had shouted just before punching her out.

She had not know how many adversaries she had put down but she knew she had knocked out a dewiek.

Then everything went red then black. It felt like a deep and old instinct welling up. The need to fight.

It was not often Tr'Shannah lost control.

The felini and dewiek conflict seemed like a Yin/Yang equation, she thought, as she subconsciously rubbed some scars.

She didn't know how Pr'Przz clan would be able to get itself out of this mess, but she knew it would hurt.

That is the reality you have to face if you want to interact with dewiek as felini.

Being part of the DNA always has the advantage that those crazy Glasir naplians can diffuse the situation.

How do they live over there anyway? She wondered. She suddenly realised she knew nothing of traditional felini culture.

What was a clan like Pr'Przz like? All she had ever known was being treated like a dirty little space brat and having to fight her way out of things.

From a nothing to a heroine, Yahn had been right about that.

Join the DNA for a peaceful life! (Unless you're a Snow Tiger, with the Spider-Ant Brigade, or South Road Security or something).

No rest for the Space Brats!

Still, Tr'Shannah was decidedly neo-naplian before considering herself felini. She did not regret her life and did have some things that made her purr.

It was kind of fun being a national heroine, after all.

*** Game News ***

Mica has been making adjustments to civilian claims which will now be on a planetary basis with local governments supporting their capital starbases within most circumstances.

Darak has made a number of small improvements to Nexus such as the ability separate Starbases from Outposts in the turns.